Acquisition of citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as renunciation of (release from) citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a common administrative subject matter our office deal with and therefore in this article we decided to present all relevant facts of both procedures in detail and in an altruistic way.
1. Introduction – methods of acquisition and renunciation of citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Let’s start with the basics, that is, the definitions themselves.
Pursuant to the applicable Law on citizenship of BiH, acquisition of citizenship of BiH is carried out according to the following determinants:
- based on descent;
- based on birth on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina;
- by adoption;
- by naturalization;
- by international agreement – so-called facilitated naturalization.
On the other hand, renunciation of citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina is carried out either by the force of law, by renunciation, by release or by international agreement.
Law on citizenship of BiH determines the conditions for the acquisition and loss of citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina where you can find a complete overview of the administrative procedure in question.
OUR OBSERVATION:
"By taking a short Google search, you can see how much multiple passports and citizenships are in demand, and the reason is not to avoid paying taxes or similar attached claims that we are served in the media. People just like to have a retreat option, some form of enhanced security. Because the future is always economically and socially unpredictable."
2. ACQUISITION OF CITIZENSHIP OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
2.1. Acquisition of BiH citizenship by descent (based on parents)
In order to make application and acquire the citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina by descent/origin, it is necessary to meet one of the following determinants listed below:
a) whose both parents were citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the time of the child's birth, regardless of the place of his birth;
b) one of whose parents was a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the time of the child's birth and the child was born in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina;
c) whose one parent was a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the time of the child's birth, and the child was born abroad, if he or she would otherwise be stateless;
d) if the child was born abroad and one of whose parents was a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the time of the child's birth, provided that by the time he or she reaches the age of 23 he or she submits an application for registration of BiH citizenship to the competent authority.
In some cases, even when only one parent is born in BiH and registered in Records of citizens by the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH, there is a high chance that the applicant will also acquire BiH citizenship upon application. The Law on Citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina prescribed a 23-year age limit for applying and receiving citizenship when only one parent was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, even if there is situation when you are older than this age limit, the process of acquiring citizenship can be carried out successfully, although in that situation we need to make an accurate insight into your case and the existence of certain preconditions.
> The most difficult part when we talk about acquiring BiH citizenship by descent is not collecting and completing documentation, but creating a reasonable and valid request that won’t be rejected by each and every administrative body. If you think you are somehow qualified to obtain citizenship by descent (either through parents, grandparents), and want counselling help to avoid wasting time and tapping in the dark for months to gather any information, feel free to send an inquiry to our team in order to get free examination of your particular case.
WORTH KNOWING:
"The process of acquiring citizenship can be successfully carried out even after the age of 23, although in that particular situation an accurate insight into your case should be made."
Photo 1 - Proudly showing off Bosnian-Herzegovinian passport, Copyright: LJUBIC Law Firm with client's agreement
> REAL EXAMPLE: What does the Decision on acquisition of BiH citizenship of a person older than 23, with only one parent born in BiH look like → check by clicking here.
… A special category are those who apply to regain BiH citizenship
> Recovering citizenship of BiH is possible with a precisely explained application and under the certain general conditions, where, among other things, the registered residence is prescribed in the period of 1 year before the submission of the application.
2.2. Acquisition of citizenship of BiH for a foreign person based on the application – naturalization
For this purpose, naturalisation shall mean admission to citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina of a foreign person based on a duly submitted application and fulfilment of any requested (prescribed by the Law) conditions.
It would mean that the requested conditions for BiH citizenship registration of a foreign person shall be as follows:
- the age of majority,
- a permanent place of residence was approved on the territory of BiH for at least 3 years before submitting a request,
- knowledge of language and script of one of the languages of the BiH constituent peoples,
- not being sentenced to a term of imprisonment for a premeditated criminal act for longer than three years within 8 years of the submission of a request,
- to renounce or otherwise lose his or her former citizenship before the acquisition of the citizenship of BiH, unless a bilateral agreement as referred to in Article 14 provides otherwise,
- not to represent a threat to BiH national security,
- to have a steady source of income in the amount necessary for living,
- to have settled any tax or other obligations,
- to sign a declaration of acceptance of the legal system and constitutional arrangement in BiH
- to obtain a valid guarantee of acquisition of BiH citizenship.
Photo 2 - Back to long forgotten roads, Copyright: LJUBIC Law Firm
THINK AHEAD
"In some countries, such as the United States of America for instance, possession of citizenship plays an important role in inheriting property and enjoying inheritance."
2.3. Rejecting the application for acquisition of citizenship of BiH
However, rejecting an application for naturalization is possible even though the applicant fulfils basic requirements for citizenship acquisition in a situation when there are reasonable doubts the national security of BiH and public order would be endangered, or if naturalization is not in accordance with the interests of BiH for some other reason as determined based on overall assessment of the applicant.
3. RENUNCIATION OF CITIZENSHIP OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
3.1. Renunciation of citizenship of BiH
The main reason for renunciation (release from) Bosnian-Herzegovian citizenship is acquisition of citizenship of some other country (mostly of the Western European countries – Germany, Austria, etc.) and getting the employment status in those countries.
Procedure for citizenship renunciation shall be in a way that a person wishing to renounce his or her citizenship shall make a declaration for the renunciation either in person or via authorised representative before the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH or before BiH Diplomatic-Consular Representatives. Aforesaid application should be accompanied by supporting documents in order to be successfully resolved.
4. Records by the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH
The Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH shall keep the records on acquisition of BiH citizenship as well as the records on cessation of BiH citizenship on the basis of renunciation. The content and the manner of keeping the mentioned records shall be prescribed by the Minister of Civil Affairs of BiH.
> Ljubić Law Firm successfully represents the clients in the proceedures for acquisition and renunciation of citizenship of BiH.
What our clients have to say
I have had Dutch citizenship all my life and since my parents are from Bosnia and Herzegovina, I wanted to get both citizenship and a passport, but I didn't know how to do it remotely. Marin explained everything in detail, I just had to submit all required papers. Thank you very much, Anja!